ADHD: An Overview
schoolwork,
chores or duties in the workplace
⢠Avoiding or disliking tasks that require ongoing mental effort or
concentration
Of the four ADHD subcategories, Hyperactive-Impulsive Type is the most distinguishable, recognizable, and the easiest to diagnose. The hyperactive and impulsive symptoms are behaviorally manifested in the various environments in which a child interacts: i.e., at home, with friends, at school, and/or during extracurricular or athletic activities. Because of the hyperactive and impulsive traits of this subcategory, these children naturally arouse the attention (often negative) of those around them.  Compared to children without ADHD, they are more difficult to instruct, teach, coach, and with whom to communicate. Additionally, they are prone to be disruptive, seemingly oppositional, reckless, accident prone, and are socially underdeveloped. Â
Parents of ADHD youth often report frustration, anger, and emotional depletion because of their childâs inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. By the time they receive professional services many parents of ADHD children describe complex feelings of anger, fear, desperation, and guilt. Their multiple âfailuresâ at trying to get their children to focus, pay attention, and to follow through with directions, responsibilities, and assignments have resulted in feelings of hopelessness and desperation. These parents often report feeling guilty over their resentment, loss of patience, and reactive discipline style. Both psychotherapists and psychiatrists have worked with parents of ADHD youth who “joke” by saying “if someone doesn’t help my child, give me some medication!”
The following statistics (Dr. Russel Barkley and Dr. Tim Willens) illustrate the far reaching implications of ADHD in youth. Â
⢠ADHD has a childhood rate of occurrence of 6-8%, with the illness continuing Â
into adolescence for 75% of the patients, and with 50% of cases persisting into Â
adulthood.
⢠Boys are diagnosed with ADHD 3 times more often than girls.
⢠Emotional development in children with ADHD is 30% slower than in their non-ADHD peers.
⢠65% of children with ADHD exhibit problems in defiance or problems with authority figures. This can include verbal hostility and temper tantrums.
⢠Teenagers with ADHD have almost four times as many traffic citations as non ADD/ADHD drivers. They have four times as many car accidents and are seven times more likely to have a second accident.
⢠21% of teens with ADHD skip school on a regular basis, and 35% drop out of school before finishing high school.
⢠45% of children with ADHD have been suspended from school at least once.
⢠30% of children with ADHD have repeated a year of school.
⢠Youth treated with medication have a six fold less chance of developing a substance abuse disorder through adolescence.
⢠The juvenile justice system is composed of 75% of kids with undiagnosed learning disabilities, including ADHD.
ADHD is a genetically transmitted disorder. Research funded by the National Institute of Medical Health (NIMH) and the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) have shown clear evidence that ADHD runs in families. According to recent research, over 25% of first-degree relatives of the families of ADHD children also have ADHD. Other research indicates that 80% of adults with ADHD have at least one child with ADHD and 52% have two or more children with ADHD. The hereditary link of ADHD has important treatment implications because other children in a family may also have ADHD. Moreover, there is a distinct possibility that the parents also may have ADHD. Of course, matters get complicated when parents with undiagnosed ADHD have problems with their ADHD child. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate a family occurrence of ADHD, when assessing an ADHD in youth.
Diagnosing Attention Deficit Disorder Inattentive Type in youth is no easy task. More harm than good is done when a person is incorrectly diagnosed. A wrong diagnosis may lead to unnecessary treatment, i.e., a prescription for ADHD medication and/or unnecessary psychological, behavioral and/or educational services. Unnecessary treatment like ADHD medication may be emotionally and physically harmful. Conversely, when an individual is correctly diagnosed and subsequently treated for ADHD, the potential for dramatic life changes are limitless. Â
Psychologists, Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors, Neurologists, Psychiatrists, and Pediatricians/Family Physicians can diagnose ADHD. Only physicians (M.D. or D.O.), nurse practitioners, and physician assistants (P.A.) under the supervision of a physician can prescribe medication. However,